Court Blotter: Assault and Battery, Larceny and Arson

The following items are updates on cases in the 35th District Court, which serves Plymouth, Canton and Northville. Not all items, unless otherwise noted, reflect guilty pleas or convictions.

Daniel Lee George, 52, Northville

• Arraigned on a charge of larceny greater than $200 but less than $1,000
• Pleaded not guilty at the arraignment and was bound over for trial

Amber Nicole Backstrom, 18, Dearborn Heights

• Violated probation on her sentence after pleading guilty to possession of marijuana on September 14, 2010
• Failed to abstain from use of illegal drugs
• A sentencing hearing is scheduled

Enriqueta Leon, 27, Ypsilanti

• Pleaded not guilty on June 24, 2011, to obstruction of justice, retail fraud, interfering with the fire department and false request for service of an ambulance in Canton
• Pretrial held on July 11, 2011, where defendant requested a court appointed attorney

Stefan Thomas Marken, 21, Canton

• On trial for an assault and battery charge
• Pleaded not guilty on May 9, 2011
• Waived his right to trial by jury on June 6, 2011, and agreed to a bench trial, where the judge would determine his guilt or innocence
• Failed to appear at trial on July 11, 2011 and a warrant was issued for his arrest

Benjamin Gonzalez, 32, Detroit

• Pleaded not guilty on June 21, 2011, to a charge of larceny by conversion greater than $200 and less than $1,000
• Larceny by conversion is treating money or goods that have been stolen as your own, even if you have not stolen the items
• Pretrial held on July 11, 2011, and a court appointed attorney was requested

Sean A. Daughtery, 20, Hazel Park

• Hearing was held to determine competency on charges of arson of a dwelling house in Plymouth and arson preparing to burn property valued between $1,000 and $20,000
• He was previously found incompetent and must attain competency in order to be tried

Sarah Elizabeth Cappuccitti, 31, Westland

• Pleaded guilty to third degree retail fraud on July 11, 2011
• Sentenced to probation under a delayed sentence under MCL 771.1
• Under MCL 771.1, the court may delay sentencing for a period of not more than one year, allowing the defendant the opportunity to prove his or her eligibility for probation or leniency of the court.  If it finds it necessary, the court may sentence the defendant during that period.

For questions on this court blotter, email nancy.kelsey@patch.com, peg.mcnichol@patch.com or john.mckay@patch.com.